FAST-FOOD EATERY ON HOLD IN SETTLER'S SQUARE STUDY

Lauren MayCHICAGO TRIBUNE

A hearing on a proposal for a McDonald's restaurant on the southwest side will remain on hold until the Plan Commission and city planners finish reviewing proposed uses for the Settler's Square business district, where the restaurant would be located.

City planners met last week with the Plan Commission to begin discussing land uses for the tax increment financing district, which includes Settler's Square. When the review is completed, the McDonald's petition and at least two other petitions for construction in the city's TIF district can be heard.

Various land uses in the TIF district include public, private, institutional and commercial facilities, said Chuck Crook, city planner. To learn more about what the developers of the TIF district expected for the area, city officials plan to review the minutes of the meetings held in 1986 and 1987 when the TIF district was being implemented, Crook said.

Residents who attended the meeting said they want the Settler's Square area to provide a sense of community.

"What we'd like to have here is a community development, rather than a regional development," said resident John Bure. "What we don't want is a strip shopping center."

City staff will continue to gather information about the TIF district.